These are the common assignments to be completed by Middle School students during the first quarter of the 2012-2013 school year. Each year the proper completion of assignments counts as more of a student's grade in Computers. When updating their ePortfolio sites, students need to make sure that their writing is interesting to read and is appropriate for their grade level. All grammar and spelling should be correct and should be a minimum length of 3 sentences in 6th grade, 4 sentences in 7th grade and a paragraph in 8th grade, unless told otherwise.
Many of these assignments could be completed at home, if needed. Student will need Internet access and may need access to the programs listed below in order to complete the assignments.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Paint
In order to transfer completed work between home and school, the student would need access to the Internet and would need to log in to Edmodo and upload files to their library. Files uploaded to the student's library could then be downloaded to their computer at school and turned in for grading.
Assignment Description
Helpful or Required Resources
Self-Portrait
Student will use Microsoft Paint to draw a portrait of themselves.
Image Attributes should be set to 6-7" in height and width
Image should be saved as a PNG image using the standard naming convention, i.e., Grade-FirstName-Portrait
Image will be uploaded to Edmodo as student's avatar under Account / Settings
Can this be completed at home?
If the student has access to Microsoft Paint at home, they can do this at home and upload the completed portrait to Edmodo into their library for downloading at school.
Student will download AverageSpeedWorksheet.xls into their folder and rename as Grade-FirstName-AverageSpeedWorkseet. Student will then complete the worksheet as follows:
Type their name on the first row where indicated
Take all five speed tests. Students may take each test twice and then record the best of the two CALCULATED speeds! Remember, the time starts when you start typing and you can use the backspace key to correct mistakes on these tests!
Student will send a message to Mrs. Sedgwick on Edmodo with their final average keyboarding speed from the tests.
Can this be completed at home?
If the student has Internet Access, the speed tests can be completed at home. If they have access to Microsoft Excel at home, they can download the worksheet and complete it as they take the tests. If the worksheet is completed, the student should upload this to their library on Edmodo so it can be download to their computer at school. If they do not have access to Microsoft Excel at home, they can keep track of their keyboarding speed on a piece of paper and bring that in to school to record their scores during Computer class and to calculate their average.
Access to the Internet to turn in final average on Edmodo
International Dot Day
Student will create a dot (or dots) to signify how they wish to make their mark on the world. The dot(s) will be created in a graphics program, Paint.NET.
The width & height of the image created must be 600 pixels each.
Dot(s) must be hand drawn and not created using shape tools or paint brushes set to a large size.
Each element added to the dot(s) should be completed on a separate layer.
Dots should be saved in both the native Paint.NET format and as a PNG file.
Dots should be named according to the standard naming convention: Grade-FirstName-Dot
Student will then write an essay about their dot(s) in Microsoft Word
Essays must be in MLA format. The only exception to standard MLA formatting are: No last name anywhere in the document and the title is replaced with the dot image created in step 1.
Essay must include the following:
An explanation of what student's dot(s) represent(s).
An explanation of why student wishes to make their mark in this way/these ways.
An explanation of how student plans to achieve this.
Vashti had a mentor in her art teacher who helped inspire her to draw. Who does student think will help them to make their mark and how do they think their mentor will help them?
Student will turn in their Dot Day Essay on Edmodo
Can this be completed at home?
If student has a Windows machine, they can download and install the free graphics program, Paint.NET and draw their dot(s) at home. Their dot image should then be uploaded to their library on Edmodo so they can save their image to their computer at school. If a student has access to Microsoft Word at home, they can write their Dot Essay at home and upload it to their library on Edmodo for turn in and downloading at school.
Color Chart - Use to find a color that you want that you can't set through the standard color selector. Copy the HEX Code for the color but leave off the # sign. For example, you would copy 5D8AA8 for Air Force Blue. Click More>> on the color palette in Paint.NET and paste the code you copied into the Hex box. You can then use <<Less to hide the additional options on the palette.
Middle School students are required to turn in a crossword puzzle as a Book Report in English class during October. Because of this assignment, students will create a crossword puzzle in Excel during Computer class. If a student wishes, they may complete their actual crossword puzzle during class or a sample will be provided using computer related terms.
Student will complete their crossword puzzle according to the Crossword Puzzle in Excel Instructions. Their crossword puzzle should be saved in their folder as an Excel file AND as a PDF file using the standard naming conventions: Grade-FirstName-Crossword
Student will turn in their Crossword Puzzle Excel File on Edmodo
Can this be completed at home?
If the student has access to Microsoft Excel at home, they can complete this assignment at home. Once the assignment is complete, the student should upload this to their library on Edmodo so it can be turned in and download to their computer at school.
If needed, Click on My Drive and create 2011-2012 Folder & drag in files from previous years
Click on My Drive and create 2012-2013 Folder
Find the Shared with Students folder under Shared With Me & drag this in to 2012-2013 Folder. If there are other files that were shared with you last year, drag those in to the 2011-2012 Folder.
Click on 2012-2013 Folder and create Public Folder (this should be named as Student'sID Public) and should be shared as Public can view, vsedgwick can edit
Check upload settings & make sure they are set to convert uploaded files and to convert text from PDF files. Can optionally choose to confirm each upload but that is not necessary.
Click on Public Folder and upload the following files:
PDF of Crossword Puzzle
When this is converted it will probably create a 2nd page of just text. Click on the file name to edit it and remove this text
Update their About Me page (if needed) to tell something about themselves - this needs to be appropriate for school and can not have any personal information (full name, address, phone, links to personal accounts, etc.). Vokis from last year can be removed if desired.
Add 1st Quarter Work. Each item needs to have at least a description of the assignment so that someone visiting the site knows what they were supposed to do and what programs or web tools they used to complete the work. Each item also needs to have a copy of the actual work completed. Finally, each item needs to have a reflection on the assignment which includes what the student liked and/or didn't like about the assignment and why and what they learned from the assignment. Add the following assignments:
Dot Day Essay - Use Insert / Google Document to add this to the Google Site post. I typically don't include the title since the post already has a title.
Excel Crossword Puzzle - Use Insert / Google Document to add this to the Google Site post.
Edit the look & feel of their site using Manage Site / Themes & Colors and Fonts, if they wish.
Student will turn in the link to Quarter 1 for their current grade on Edmodo
Can this be completed at home?
Step #1 must be completed at school to insure that the folders are created properly and because a student's work will most likely not be available to upload from home. Once Step #1 has been completed, Steps #2 and #3 could be fully completed at home as long as the student has Internet access. Even if Step #1 has not been completed, students can complete the writing portion of Step #2 at home and then add their actual work in class.
PowerPoint Animal - 7th & 8th Grade Only for 1st Quarter
Student will use this site to "draw" one or more animals in PowerPoint using the shape tools like in the examples below. The examples were both based on animals on the site linked but some tweaks were made such as adding whiskers to the cat and using ovals instead of rectangles for the penguin.
Student may follow the instructions exactly or make some changes to make the animal their own - creativity is encouraged.
Student must add some background color (Design / Background Styles / Format Background) or draw a whole habitat for the animal using the shape tools. No white background!
Student must add their first name in Word Art (Insert / Word Art & then change font, size & color) or sign their creation with their first name using the scribble tool
The PowerPoint file must be saved according to the standard naming conventions: Grade-FirstName-Animal (or the actual type of animal, ie, 6th-Alice-Cat)
Student must also save this as a PNG file. After student has saved this as a PowerPoint file, they should do a Save As / Other Formats. Select PNG from the Save as Type and click Save. When asked, select Current Slide Only.
Student can make more than one if they wish - either in PowerPoint or in Paint.NET!
Once the PowerPoint Animal(s) are complete, Student should add a post to their Google Site for their PowerPoint Animal(s).
The introductory text must include what program was used to create the animal, a text link to the site used for templates for the "drawings" and why they chose the animal(s) that they did. This does not need to be a specific length but needs to be interesting to read and written at the student's grade level.
Use Insert / Image to upload the PNG of your animal(s)
The student's reflection needs to include what they liked and/or didn't like about this assignment and why. It could include what they found easy about the assignment or what was difficult. The reflection also needs to include what the student learned! Once again it should be written at grade level and should be enjoyable to read.
Student will turn in the link to their Google Site post on Edmodo.
Can this be completed at home?
If the student has access to the Internet and Microsoft PowerPoint, this assignment could be fully completed at home. Once the PowerPoint file and PNG were saved on the student's home computer, they should be uploaded to the student's library on Edmodo so they can be downloaded to the student's computer at school.
Table of Contents
Many of these assignments could be completed at home, if needed. Student will need Internet access and may need access to the programs listed below in order to complete the assignments.
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Paint
In order to transfer completed work between home and school, the student would need access to the Internet and would need to log in to Edmodo and upload files to their library. Files uploaded to the student's library could then be downloaded to their computer at school and turned in for grading.Self-Portrait
Student will use Microsoft Paint to draw a portrait of themselves.Can this be completed at home?
If the student has access to Microsoft Paint at home, they can do this at home and upload the completed portrait to Edmodo into their library for downloading at school.
Edmodo
Keyboarding Speed Pre-Assessment
Student will download AverageSpeedWorksheet.xls into their folder and rename as Grade-FirstName-AverageSpeedWorkseet. Student will then complete the worksheet as follows:Can this be completed at home?
If the student has Internet Access, the speed tests can be completed at home. If they have access to Microsoft Excel at home, they can download the worksheet and complete it as they take the tests. If the worksheet is completed, the student should upload this to their library on Edmodo so it can be download to their computer at school. If they do not have access to Microsoft Excel at home, they can keep track of their keyboarding speed on a piece of paper and bring that in to school to record their scores during Computer class and to calculate their average.
AverageSpeedWorksheet.xls
Access to the Internet to take the speed tests:
Access to the Internet to turn in final average on Edmodo
International Dot Day
Can this be completed at home?
If student has a Windows machine, they can download and install the free graphics program, Paint.NET and draw their dot(s) at home. Their dot image should then be uploaded to their library on Edmodo so they can save their image to their computer at school. If a student has access to Microsoft Word at home, they can write their Dot Essay at home and upload it to their library on Edmodo for turn in and downloading at school.
Microsoft Word
Edmodo
Color Chart - Use to find a color that you want that you can't set through the standard color selector. Copy the HEX Code for the color but leave off the # sign. For example, you would copy 5D8AA8 for Air Force Blue. Click More>> on the color palette in Paint.NET and paste the code you copied into the Hex box. You can then use <<Less to hide the additional options on the palette.
MLA Formatting setup in Word Tutorial
Excel Crossword Puzzle
Middle School students are required to turn in a crossword puzzle as a Book Report in English class during October. Because of this assignment, students will create a crossword puzzle in Excel during Computer class. If a student wishes, they may complete their actual crossword puzzle during class or a sample will be provided using computer related terms.Student will complete their crossword puzzle according to the Crossword Puzzle in Excel Instructions. Their crossword puzzle should be saved in their folder as an Excel file AND as a PDF file using the standard naming conventions: Grade-FirstName-Crossword
Student will turn in their Crossword Puzzle Excel File on Edmodo
Can this be completed at home?
If the student has access to Microsoft Excel at home, they can complete this assignment at home. Once the assignment is complete, the student should upload this to their library on Edmodo so it can be turned in and download to their computer at school.
Excel Crossword Puzzle Tutorial
Edmodo
ePortfolio Quarter 1 Update
When this is converted it will probably create a 2nd page of just text. Click on the file name to edit it and remove this text
Can this be completed at home?
Step #1 must be completed at school to insure that the folders are created properly and because a student's work will most likely not be available to upload from home. Once Step #1 has been completed, Steps #2 and #3 could be fully completed at home as long as the student has Internet access. Even if Step #1 has not been completed, students can complete the writing portion of Step #2 at home and then add their actual work in class.
Google Sites
Edmodo
Google Drive: Upload & Share Files Tutoria
PowerPoint Animal - 7th & 8th Grade Only for 1st Quarter
Student will use this site to "draw" one or more animals in PowerPoint using the shape tools like in the examples below. The examples were both based on animals on the site linked but some tweaks were made such as adding whiskers to the cat and using ovals instead of rectangles for the penguin.Once the PowerPoint Animal(s) are complete, Student should add a post to their Google Site for their PowerPoint Animal(s).
Student will turn in the link to their Google Site post on Edmodo.
Can this be completed at home?
If the student has access to the Internet and Microsoft PowerPoint, this assignment could be fully completed at home. Once the PowerPoint file and PNG were saved on the student's home computer, they should be uploaded to the student's library on Edmodo so they can be downloaded to the student's computer at school.
How to Draw Animals Site
Google Sites
Edmodo